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Monday, May 23, 2016

Christian devotion: Justice and Jesus - Isaiah 42:3b-4a

Isaiah 42:3b-4a In faithfulness he will bring forth
justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on
Earth.

We all have different ideas about justice and what it
actually means. For some people, justice implies getting even with someone who
wronged them. For others, it can mean making someone pay excessive damages and full
reparations for a disappointment, mistake, or tragedy. Justice can also involve
giving equal rights to those who have been marginalized by society, or degraded
by our culture. It is also sought by those who are impoverished or oppressed
throughout the world, where injustices are perpetrated by people in power. In
fact, all across the Earth, billions of people are constantly seeking justice,
human rights, and equality.

Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 42 has been interpreted as a
foretelling of the Messianic role Christ was to fulfill seven hundred years
later. Jesus would become the Chosen Servant of God who entered the world to
right all wrongs, bring justice to the powerless, and restore the dignity of God’s
people who had been oppressed by the Romans. After His Resurrection and Ascension,
He would be revered as the Judge of the entire Earth, who would ensure that the
wicked are finally brought to justice and that the poor are exalted above all
others in the future Heavenly Kingdom.

As Christians, we are called to follow Christ, so the
seeking and supporting of justice should be a key part of how we apply our
faith. If we use our religion to lord it over other people, we have maligned Christ’s
ministry. If, however, we focus on the equal rights of all people and see
justice as a main emphasis of Christ’s teaching, then we will positively and
effectively witness to God’s love and Christ’s grace. In other words, Justice
and Jesus are fully entwined; you can’t have one without the other. You can’t
serve Jesus without seeking Justice.

Questions
for personal reflection

Where do I see injustice in my community? How can
Christ’s Church seek and support justice for my community?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of
the World, who brings good news to the poor and justice to the oppressed. Help
us, as Your followers, to pursue justice in our communities and around the
world. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.